Robots Do It Better: Technology Replacing Humans

According to Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, robots do it better. The infamous computer programmer claims that advancing software automation could lead to technology replacing humans in the work force meaning that robots could steal your job.

Business Insider reports that Gates spoke at the American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington, DC last week speaking about how governments and businesses need to prepare for a future where lots of jobs will be done by software and robots, resulting in mass unemployment.

“Yes, robots really are about to take your jobs,” Gates said. “Software substitution, whether it’s for drivers or waiters or nurses… it’s progressing. Technology over time will reduce demand for jobs, particularly at the lower end of skill set… 20 years from now, labor demand for lots of skill sets will be substantially lower. I don’t think people have that in their mental model.”

Bill Gates says technology will replace humans in the work place.

“Low-skilled” workers aren’t the only ones that need to worry about automation and technology replacing humans. Business Insider pointed out that high-paying jobs in accounting, real estate and commercial aviation will have technology replacing humans within the next 20 years as predicted by The Economist earlier this year.

Since according to Gates robots do it better and that technology replacing humans is a very real possibility, what are we supposed to in the wake of widespread unemployment? Gates had a few insights and suggestions to help governments avoid social unrest and a full on technology takeover.

The Microsoft cofounder said that governments should be actively motivate businesses to employ people and resist the temptation to transfer their whole work force into the hands of technology replacing humans. Even though robots do it better, companies need to choose people over algorithms.

Gates goes on to say that governments might have to resort to eradicating payroll and corporate income taxes as well as not increasing the minimum wage. These provisions will be the only way that Businesses will be motivated to employ humans instead of outsourcing their jobs to the nearest MacBook.

The threat of software animation or “bots” in tech slang is very real and could mean some big changes in the labor market. Technology replacing humans is something that people nor governments are prepared for. Although robots do it better, maybe humans do it for the best.